Asian Mix

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at your favorite restaurant? Well, much credit goes to the many chefs, owners and managers who work diligently day in and day out to make sure Hawaii’s diners have a top-notch dining experience.

This week, Dining Out gets the inside scoop from Asian Mix owner Daniel Leung, who gives us a little taste of Asian Mix, and shares just what fuels his culinary drive.

NAME Daniel LeungTITLE Owner of Asian MixTRAINING More than 30 years in the restaurant business

Who or what inspires you as an owner? I’m inspired daily by my team and my customers. My staff, my partners and I have worked together for so many years, supporting each other and believing in our businesses. The success of our business means success for all the people I care so much about. Like many restaurants, we strive to provide great service, affordable prices and tasty food for our patrons, but when we see the same customers coming back week after week, month after month, I know we’re doing something right.

What is your favorite dish on the menu? Why? My favorite dish on the menu is definitely Roast Duck. Our recipe comes straight from one of Hong Kong’s most respected restaurants and features a number of secret ingredients that really elevate the taste. My good friend from high school had a relative who worked in Hong Kong and recently retired in Hawaii. He was kind enough to share his experience and train my staff to prepare quality roast duck that’s now available to our customers anytime.

What is your favorite ingredient to work with? Why? I grew up eating a lot of Cantonese-style food. However, after moving to Los Angeles in my youth, I fell in love with northern-style Chinese cooking, which consists of less sauce and gravy, and instead features garlic and chili pepper for flavor. So, garlic and chili pepper are my favorite ingredients now because of how delicious they make dishes, including Kung Pao Chicken.

Is there a dish that you create that’s not on your menu, but available upon request? It’s very popular for people to request substituting tofu for meat in our dishes, which we are always happy to do. In my opinion, the most delicious option our customers have for a tofu substitute dish is Curry Chow Fun. The tofu is nice and crispy, and it’s just as satisfying as meat.